Prestress-force Monitoring of PSC Girder Bridges using Wireless Impedance Sensor Nodes

In this study, a technique using wireless impedance sensor node and interface washer is proposed to monitor prestress-force in PSC girder bridges. In order to achieve the goal, the following approaches are implemented. Firstly, a wireless impedance sensor node is designed for automated and cost-efficient prestress-force monitoring. Secondly, an impedance-based algorithm is embedded in the wireless impedance sensor node for autonomous prestress-force monitoring. Thirdly, a prestress-force monitoring technique using an interface washer is proposed to overcome limitations of the wireless impedance sensor node such as measureable frequency ranges with narrow band. Finally, the feasibility and applicability of the proposed technique are evaluated in a lab-scaled PSC girder model for which several prestress-loss scenarios are experimentally monitored by the wireless impedance sensor node.